4 December 2012 2008 Allegrini Palazzo Della Torre

2008 Allegrini Palazzo Della Torre

December 4, 2012 By

In the glass, this affordable Italian wine is inky red. On the nose, it is bold with ripe cherries and dried cranberry aromas. Just hard to stop sniffing in order to take a sip.

In the mouth, it has blackberry and dried fig flavors with licorice and leathery notes. The 2008 Allegrini Palazzo Della Torre has great balance and nice level of acidity. Finish is long and spicy.

90 points Wine Spectator.

Pairings: Pasta with red sauce, deeply-roasted meats, cheese course.

Style: Red Wine

Grape Type(s): Corvina Veronese, Rondinella and Sangiovese

Region: Valpolicella, Italy

Price: $17

Filed Under: Italy, Red Wine, Sangiovese, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , , ,
16 October 2012 2009 Poggio alle Sughere Morellino di Scansano

2009 Poggio alle Sughere Morellino di Scansano

October 16, 2012 By

This Italian wine is dark purple in the glass. It offers aromas of dark, ripe cherries and Chinese five spice and flavors of stone fruit and dark berries with hints of leather. Soft tannins with a nice level of acidity.

Lovers of Chianti will enjoy this affordable Sangiovese.

Pairings:  Grilled beef, cured meats and cheese platter, pasta with red sauce.

Style: Red

Grape Type(s): Sangiovese (90%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (10%)

Region: Tuscany, Italy

Price: $20

Filed Under: Italy, Red Wine, Sangiovese Tagged With: , , , ,
26 June 2012 2007 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Fattoria Del Cerro

2007 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Fattoria Del Cerro

June 26, 2012 By

Bright purplish ruby in the glass, this affordable Italian wine has a ripe dark fruit nose laced with spiced notes.  In the mouth, it’s round with a nice balance of rich dark fruit and chocolate with good acidity.

Had this 2007 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Fattoria Del Cerro paired with rare duck and it was a nice pairing.

Pairings:  Grilled chicken or pork, cheese course, mushroom risotto.

Style: Red

Grape Type(s): 90% Sangiovese and 10% Canaiolo Nero

Region: Tuscany, Italy

Around $20

 

Filed Under: Italy, Red Wine, Sangiovese, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , , , , ,
27 April 2012 2009 Coltibuono Chianti Classico

2009 Coltibuono Chianti Classico

April 27, 2012 By

This Italian wine is vibrant red in the glass.  The 2009 Coltibuono Chianti Classico offer spiced red berries on the nose and big berry flavors on the palate with a little chocolate and some earthiness.  Nice level of acidity and long, pleasant finish.

Pairings:  Pasta and red sauce. Grilled meats.

Style: Red

Grape Type(s): Sangiovese

Region: Tuscany, Italy

Around $15.

 

Filed Under: Italy, Red Wine, Sangiovese, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , , , , ,
10 October 2011 5 Italian Wines to Drink on Columbus Day

5 Italian Wines to Drink on Columbus Day

October 10, 2011 By

October 10 is Columbus Day, the celebration of Christopher Columbus’ arrival in the Americas on October 12, 1492.  In honor of the famed Italian-born explorer, colonizer, and navigator, I’m highlighting 5 neat and affordable Italian wines I’ve sampled in the last few months.

Happy Columbus Day!

Cheers,

Veronique

 

 

Filed Under: Other Neat Things, Wine Reviews Tagged With: ,
21 July 2011 2008 Enzo Boglietti Dolcetto d’Alba

2008 Enzo Boglietti Dolcetto d’Alba

July 21, 2011 By

Enjoyed this Dolcetto at an outstanding Italian restaurant in Brooklyn, NY called Locanda Vini e Olii where it was served as what I’ll call the house wine.

This wine from Piedmont is light-medium bodied and is a good option at dinner where it must be paired with various dishes.

On the nose, the 2008 Enzo Boglietti Dolcetto d’Alba is fruity, a little musty and earthy. In the mouth, it’s not as light, fruity and sweet (Dolcetto translates to “little sweet one”) as this varietal typically is.  It’s more structured with a good amount of tannins with unexpected earthy, wild raspberry and smoky flavors.

Nice (and somewhat atypical), no-nonsense Dolcetto that should please a wide array of palates.

Around $17.

Filed Under: Red Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , , , ,
18 May 2011 2009 Bruno Giacosa Dolcetto D’Alba

2009 Bruno Giacosa Dolcetto D’Alba

May 18, 2011 By

Friends asked what they could bring to one of my dinner parties and I simply said “wine to go with beef”.  To my good fortune, they brought this little gem.

In the glass, the wine is a bright garnet hue.  In the mouth, it’s rich with ripe berries, musky with nutty notes.  Brought on some bouquet garni elements on the medium, dry finish.

Wine Advocate: 90 Points.

Around $21.

 

Filed Under: Red Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , , ,
9 April 2011 2007 Marchesi di Barolo Barbera d’Alba Ruvei

2007 Marchesi di Barolo Barbera d’Alba Ruvei

April 9, 2011 By

When this wine was poured into my glass I had to let out a “wow” to the beautiful dark ruby hue.  On the nose, this affordable Italian wine is both sweet and spicy with bushels of wild strawberries.  In the mouth – wow again.  This Barbera is big, bold, woodsy with caramel notes and lush berries.  Was great alone, but fabulous with Arancini starter and my tomato-based seafood soup.  Can’t believe this wine’s only $17 retail.

Around $17.

Wine Spectator: 89 Points.

Filed Under: Red Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , , ,